Ficklen Ave
Danville, VA 24540

When my son attended this school he was bullied, he was scared and confused. They called me constantly to pick him up and sent his work to be completed at home. Told me he didn’t qualify for services because his academics were good. He did have speech for a certain period of time but failed to pick up signs of Autism and ADHD. They also did not fill out evaluation papers his pediatrician sent for autism and adhd. It was sent to 3 teachers and none made it back to his pediatrician so he was unable to receive needed services . I pulled him out of school. He was referred to a doctor for an evaluation, the pandemic happened and it took us another 2 years to get his evaluation . This could have been solved years prior if anyone had done anything needed. He is now on the Junior Honor Society , has been an honor roll student, and receives occupation therapy to help with handwriting which he struggles with due to poor muscle tone. At Johnson he was admonished for telling him teacher it hurt to write. This was due to his conditions. My son could have had earlier intervention but was instead labeled as unique, having a colorful personality, lazy, forgetful…. Now with behavioral therapy , occupational and speech therapy, an autism specialist, and me performing as a one on one for his virtual school he is thriving

GWHS was once a great school, unfortunately, it has really slid downhill in the last few years. Academics are not at a very high level anymore, and there is a general lack of discipline in the school. There is a school resource officer there, in addition to several private security officers, but they can't be everywhere. There are often big fights, some that require police intervention, with charges being brought. The administration is weak, as is the school board. All in all, it will take a lot of hard work to make it great again.

westwood middle school is awesome!! my son loves his teachers and all the staff, the teachers seem to really care about the students and their goals!!